Congressman Poe calls for ‘radical reset’ with Pakistan
Washington, DC: Last week, Congressman Ted Poe, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Terrorism introduced H.R. 1449, the Pakistan State Sponsor of Terrorism Act of 2017. The bill requires the President to issue a report within 90 days detailing whether Pakistan has provided support for international terrorism. Thirty days from then, the Secretary of State would be required to submit a follow-up report, detailing a determination on whether there are grounds to designate Pakistan as a state sponsor of terrorism or a justification as to why it is not.
Calling for a ‘radical reset’ of ties with Pakistan, Chairman Poe explained, “Not only is Pakistan an untrustworthy ally, Islamabad has also aided and abetted enemies of the United States for years. From harboring Osama bin Laden to its cozy relationship with the Haqqani network, there is more than enough evidence to determine whose side Pakistan is on in the War on Terror. And it’s not America’s. The Obama administration let a similar bill moved by Congressman Poe in September 2016 but he may find more support under the Trump Administration. ‘The America first’ policies of President Trump gives new impetus to calls for harsher measures to force Pakistan to act decisively against terrorists using its soil to launch attacks across its eastern and western borders in India and Pakistan respectively.
If enacted, it will limit financial aid to Pakistan, ban defense exports and restrict exports of dual use.
Vic Chauhan from USINPAC, supporting the bill said, “It is time we stop paying our US tax dollars to Pakistan for its betrayal and designate it for what it is: a State Sponsor of Terrorism.”
We urge the Trump administration to adopt tougher measures toward Islamabad.”
About USINPAC
The US India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) is the voice of over 3.2 million Indian- Americans and works on issues that concern the community. It supports candidates for local, state and federal office and encourages political participation by the Indian- American community. Visit www.usinpac.com for more details.